Vigil Held For Missing Frederick County Woman

FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ) -- Hundreds turned out in Frederick County to pray for the safe return of a wife and mother who disappeared Wednesday under suspicious circumstances.

Mike Schuh has more on the vigil and the investigation.

It's been more than four full days, but still no word on her whereabouts. As police investigate and search–friends, family and even total strangers are praying she's okay.

At Frederick County's Pine Cliff Park, prayers surrounded the family of 49-year-old Teresa Lentz, who was last seen Wednesday afternoon when she left her Bartonsville Road home to run some errands.

Her husband, her son, her daughter–all desperate to find her.

Her fellow church members pray it happens.

"I cannot even begin to imagine how they feel and what they're going through, said Alicia Solano.

"My heart bleeds for them. We're just so sorry and we're just praying and praying that God in his infinite mercy will take care of Teresa," said Agnes Magnino.

"This is not a lost cause. There's still hope. God knows where she is and God will prevail," said Tery Baker.

Lentz last spoke to her husband by cell phone 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.

Later that night, her worried family found the SUV she was driving abandoned on the shoulder of Reels Mill Road along the railroad tracks. Her cell phone and car keys were still inside.

Investigators say a photo shows Lentz at an ATM machine shortly before she disappeared.

"And we're not ruling out anything. We're not at this point saying foul play is involved, but we do consider the circumstances to be very suspicious," said Sgt. Jennifer Bailey, Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Supporters at a candlelight vigil wrote prayer messages in Lentz's honor and offered encouraging words to the family, who declined an interview, but did thank the crowd.

"It's nice to know that my mom is well loved. I've always known, but just to see it is easier," said John Lentz, son.

"I just wanted to say that because I can't always thank all of you at once, cause it's the easiest thing to do. I see a lot of friends that I haven't seen in awhile, and this breaks my heart, but I'm glad that you all showed up," he continued.

Investigators say they have received several tips in the case as they try to piece together a timeline for where she was and about when she disappeared.

Frederick County Sheriff's investigators are asking anyone may have seen Lentz on the day she disappeared to call 301-600-1046.